Blues cruise back to top of the table and winning start for new Reds boss Marissa

You are viewing content from Q North Coast 97.2. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Q Radio Sport

Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan guided Cliftonville to an emphatic North Belfast derby win over Crusaders Strikers on Wednesday night.

The experienced midfielder was acting as player-manager for the Solitude clash after Marty Douglas stepped down earlier this week, with the Reds running out convincing 5-1 victors - as Heather Mearns netted a consolation goal for the Crues.

Callaghan was on the scoresheet alongside the returning Billie Simpson - last season’s Player of the Year winner - while Megan Moran was also on target, with Joana da Silva netting a brace.

The result sees Cliftonville move nine points clear of the Crues in fourth place and takes the Reds to within just five points of Sion Swifts in third, with both now having played 10 matches.

 

Pic courtesy Cliftonville FC. -

 

Linfield took advantage of Glentoran not playing to return to the top of the league as they recorded a landslide 13-1 victory at basement side Comber Rec.

The Blues have been in bullish mood recently - going into last week’s fixtures they were level on points with the Glens but had a 10-goal inferior goal difference, but now are eight goals better off than their Belfast rivals having also won 8-0 at Cliftonville last week.

The majority of the damage was done in the first half when Linfield netted nine goals without reply - with four more following after the break in the biggest win of the campaign to date.

Captain Kirsty McGuinness was once again the star of the show with five goals while her sister Caitlin netted twice, with Rebecca Bassett and Casey Howe also grabbing braces and Rebecca McKenna and Hayley O’Donnell one each.

The hosts kept battling until the end and were rewarded for their endeavour when captain Sarah McKillen netted a late consolation free-kick.

Glentoran sat out this round of action while Sion Swifts defeated Derry City 7-0 in a game that was brought forward to last week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

-

More from Q Radio Local Sport


Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play